Lunar Eclipses

A lunar eclipse is an astronomical event that occurs when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, meaning when the moon enters the shadow of the Earth. This can only occur during the full moon. The moon has a radius of 1736.6 km and orbits the Earth at an average distance of 384,403 km (60.27 Equatorial radius). The height of the cone of shadow is 1,384,584 km (217 equatorial radius), that is greater than the distance from the Earth to the Moon, which is why eclipses occur.

Types of Lunar Eclipses

Total Eclipse

When the moon is entirely within the cone of shadow. The darkening of the Moon, due to its entry into the cone of shadow of the Earth, is almost never complete, because the cone of shadow is not completely dark. It retains a faint reddish light which through the satellite is copper.

Partial Eclipse

When the moon is only partially within the cone of shadow. In this type of phenomenon, only a portion of the lunar surface will be eclipsed, and therefore darkened, while the rest will retain its brightness.

Penumbral Eclipse

When the Moon is partially or entirely within the outer penumbral zone surrounding the shade.